Inca Trail 4D 3N
The Inca road system (Qhapaq Ñan) was the most extensive pre-Columbian trail in South America, linking together about 40,000 km of roadway and providing access to over three million km² of territory spreading from Santiago, Chile to Quito, Ecuador. Famously, relay messengers (chasqui) kept the distant corners of the empire connected to its leadership by running messages transcribed by knotted cords (quipu) and objects in 6 to 9 km shifts for mountain leaders. These same roads once travelled by tens of thousands of chaqui, nobles, functionaries, soldiers, porters, and llama caravans are today visited by thousands of intrepid travelers a year.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is actually three routes, which all meet up near the Sun Gate (Inti-Pata), the entrance to Machu Picchu. Located in the Andes mountain range, the Trail passes through ten types of Andean environments, from the low dry mountain forest of the valleys and the Urubamba rivier through cloud forest and alpine tundra to the High Jungle Zone of Machu Picchu. A high proportion of Peru's flora and fauna can be found in this habitat, and an estimated 10-20% of these are endangered. Incan settlements, tunnels, and ruins dot the trail before its terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 12,000 ft (3,660 m) above sea level.

Trip Characteristics

Duration 4 days/3 nights
Grade Moderate
Activities Hiking, Camping, Touring/Day walking
Accomodations Camping (Double-Occupancy Tents)

Itinerary

Day 1 Departing Cusco; Trekking from Piskacucho Trailhead to Wayllabamba campsite
Day 2 Ascent to the Inca Trail's highest point, Warmiwanusca, en route to Paqaymayu campsite
Day 3 Hiking from the subtropical rainforest of Pacaymayu to Incan Ruins enveloped in the Cloud Forest.
Day 4 Arrival at the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

Recommendations
 

• The rarified air at the points of highest altitude, such as Warmiwasquna, can leave travelers short of breath or faint. Although we will be carrying an oxygen tank for emergencies, it helps to give yourself a day in Cusco or the Sacred Valley for acclimatization before undertaking the Inca Trail.

• All fitness levels can be accommodated, but make sure to discuss all limitations or concerns with your guide prior to departure in order to take all necessary precautions.
  We will be passing through various climactic zones, and you will find the weather quite changeable. It is recommended that you bring both shorts and pants, as well as a windbreaker or coat for colder weather.
   

The Sierra or Highlands

The Sierra makes up 30,5% of the national territory (391 980 km²). The Andes Mountain range runs the entire length along the center of Peru from north to south. In this geographic region covering 392 000 km², there are two marked seasons: the dry season (from April to October) characterized by sunny days, cold nights and absence of rain, and the rainy season (from November to March). Temperatures normally vary between 24°C at noon and -3°C during the night. The main characteristic of the area is great altitude with an average height of 4 300 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), while the highest peaks soar above 6 000 m.a.s.
 

TERRA QUECHUA PERU - CHECK REAL-TIME INCA TRAIL PERMITS OFFICIAL AVAILABILITY 2010

DAY 01: CUSCO - PISKACUCHO - WAYLLABAMBA INKA TRAIL

We depart from Cusco and travel to the small town of Urubamba (“Flat land of Spiders”), located near the river of the same name, under the snowy peak of Chicon. We will be stopping briefly in the earstwhile royal estate and then (during the Spanish conquest) stronghold for the Incan resistance, the town of Ollaytaytambo for any purchasing any last-minute gear or other personal needs. We then move on to the Piskacuchu Trailhead (also commonly referred to as Kilometer 82)- the start of the Inca Trail. We will have lunch at Miskay and relax a bit before hiking to our first campsite, Huayllabamba. Along the way we will see the first and the biggest of the Inca Trail's archeological sites, Patallaqta, The Town on the Top, an important Incan settlement where remains of pirka walls and agricultural terraces have been preserved despite the weight of the centuries. Along the way we will have formidable views of the Cordillera peaks and the Verónica glacier (originally known as Weqey Willka, Sacred Tear) on the other side of the valley.

DAY 02: WAYLLABAMBA - WARMIWAÑUSCA - PAQAYMAYU INKA TRAIL

We'll head out early in the morning to take advantage of the shade of the mountains as we ascend towards the Inca Trail's highest point. Here, we can literally see the varied ecological zones and microclimates which make up the area mapped out in front of us. We will cross the Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman, Pass (4,200 meters/13,780 feet). At this high point the air is cold and rarified (scarce in oxygen), but the views are breathtaking and Incan remains continue to dot our path. After lunch we will descend along a trail from which one can observe the slow formation of a strem which at the bottom of the densely vegetated little valley is known as Pakaymayu, Hidden River. It is here at Pakaymayu that we will set up camp and enjoy our dinner and a well-deserved rest.

DAY 03: PAQAYMAYU - CHAQ´ICOCHA - WI ÑAYWAYNA INKA TRAIL

The day begins with a nutritious breakfast and a 45-minute hike through the subtropical forest up to the second highest pass on the Trail (3,850 meters/12,631 feet above sea level). Along the way we will pass a bounty of colorful orchids, perhaps be able to watch the hummingbirds and butterflies, and spy two beautiful green lakes as well as various archeological sites. (The Inca trail hosts more than 400 species of orchids, begonias, trees and bushes like the Qeuña , Pisonay, and Muña. In the forests and along the rivers there are as many different types of birds as well, most notably the Cock of the Rock and the Pava de Monte.) First, we will visit one of the most unusual single structures in the Andes, Runcuracay, the Egg Hut, a small round building which specialists suppose was a post house where chasquis, messengers, stopped on their run to carry messages to the distant corners of the Inca Empire. We will then explore the Fortress of Sayacmarca, Dominant Town, complete with a solar observation post (known as a Temple of the Sun) and irrigating canals which divert water from a small river to the fortress's residential half and ceremonial baths before disappearing into the jungle. Lastly, we will view the Phuyupatamarca ruins, one of the most beautiful sites you will see on the Inca trail, as it is located in a cloud forest. It boasts agricultural terraces, fountains circulating fresh water, and Inca platforms built for viewing the breathtaking panaroma of snowy flat-topped peaks. After lunch we will head to the Wiñaywayna site, where we will set up camp for our last night on the storied Inca Trail.

DAY 04: WIÑAYWAYNA - MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO INKA TRAIL

After an early breakfast, we begin the final leg of our trek to the lost city of Machupicchu, recently declared one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. It all begins with a hike to the Sun Gate, Inti Punku, from where we will savor an inspiring panoramic view of the mysterious Machupicchu Citadel. After a short hike down to the citadel, we will register and then enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the sanctuary-city. After the tour of Machupicchu, we will take the bus down or walk to Aguas Calientes where we will enjoy a buffet lunch and free time to enjoy the town before returning to Cusco by train.

INCLUDED:

• Pre-departure briefing at your hotel/office
• Professional English-speaking private tour guide for the Inca Trail
• Hotel Pick-up (6:00-6:30 am for the inka trail)
• Bus to the Km-82 Piskakucho Trailhead
• Tourist train (Cerrojo-Backpacker ) from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Entrance Fees: Inca Trail and Machupicchu
• Food: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks (hot drinks, biscuits and popcorn), 3 dinners*
• *Vegetarian/special diet options available
• We use 4-person tents for 2 people
• Camping equipment: Tent, Cooking and Dining tent, Tables and Chairs
• Foam Sleeping mattresses
• (If you prefer a more luxurious air mattress, this can be rented from us.)
• Cook
• Porters (for carrying cooking and camping equipment only)
• Emergency Oxygen Tank
• First Aid Kit

NOT INCLUDED:

• Breakfast on the first day
• Lunch on the last day (in Aguas Calientes)
• Bus ticket from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes (optional; US$7 fare, one-way)
• Entrance fee to the Hot Springs in Aguas Calientes (optional; s/10 entrance)
• Sleeping bag (goose down) equipped for -15ºC. (This can be rented from us for US$20 for all treks. Our sleeping bags have a mummy form and include a sleeping liner. They are cleaned after every use and have a maximum usage of 25 trips.)

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
 

• Original Passport (and International Student Card [ISIC] if applicable)
• Travel Insurance Card
• Walking boots
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
• A couple of T-shirts
• Comfortable trousers (zip-off pants )
• Sun hat, bathing suit (for hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Water Purification Tablets (Micropur are recommended)
• Sunblock (a minimum of 35 spf is recommended)
• Insect repellent (for Aguas Calientes and Machupicchu )
• Toilet paper
• Personal medication
• Camera and film
• Flashlight with spare batteries (head-lights recommended)
• Extra snacks, as desired

OPTIONS

• carrier of an ISIC card have a discount of  USD 20
• extra porter to carry your personal items costs USD 75
• additional nigths in aguas calientes (different price)

You will need to send the following information in order to book:

• Personal Information: Full Name and Nationality
• Documents: Passport Copy
• Logistical Information: Mode of Travel (flight or bus) and Arrival Time
• Name of Lodging (for pick-up/drop-off purposes)

In the event that there is no longer available for the Inca trail on your  desired dates, you can check the alternative routes listed below, such us

ALTERNATIVES  TREK

SALKANTAY TREK 5D / 4N                     INKA JUNGLE  TRAIL 4D / 3N

AUSANGATE TREK 6D / 5                 LARES COMMUNITY 4D / 3N